Splinter Cell: The Best Stealth Series Ever

One hallmark of this generation in gaming is that large numbers of people came out of the ‘I hate stealth games’ closet en masse. It’s not too hard to see why, as the stealth genre of gaming was a distinctly fifth and sixth generation phenomenon. It rose to prominence partly as a result of the technological capabilities straddled the line between being able to capture the gameplay and graphical elements that create an immersive experience.

[Venoxn4g]

hah hah hah hah!!! nooo, this belongs to Metal Gear series :)

[Belking]

I would say splinter cell does have more stealth. Especially the past games like CT and the upcoming one. Hitman has done it well too.

[guitarded77]

More stealth doesn't mean it's better. Splinter Cell has some great games in the series, but Metal Gear is consistently amazing.

[frostbite06]

Splinter Cell definately has some clunkers, but you can put the orginal and chaos theory up against any of the Metal Gear games

[Welshy]

"Especially the past games like CT and the upcoming one."

Say whaaaat? I whole heartedly agree that Chaos Theory is one of the finest stealth games of all time, but you're trying to tell me Splinter Cell: Blacklist will have more stealth than any of the MGS games?

You sir, are messed up in the brain, from what i've seen of Blacklist it's more of a cover shooter with the Conviction "tag and execute" system replacing any form of stealth.

I never wanted to see the day when the legendary Sam Fisher was running out in the open, stylishly shooting several men at once in broad daylight.

If anything of that sort should ruin my other favourite stealth action character (Solid Snake), i'm handing in my gamer card.

[gaffyh]

I'm a huge fan of this genre, and Thief is actually better than both MGS and SC. Although I would say Splinter Cell used to be better than MGS at stealth, but the last game really sucked in that department and the new one looks the same.

[mattdillahunty]

regardless of whether Splinter Cell is better than MGS (and i don't think it is), i really don't think there's any question that Splinter Cell does pure stealth better than MGS.

MGS's stealth usually comes across as being:

--overly simplistic, such as the octocamo suit in MGS4, or just laying flat on your stomach and sneaking, like in any MGS game

--contrived and unrealistic, such as pulling a box or barrel out of your back pocket to hide in all of a sudden. or pausing the game to change your camo suit, like in MGS3

--not as environmentally interactive

Splinter Cell's stealth is much more fluid, realistic, and believable. you interact with the environment (and enemies) much more and in a more realistic manner, and you're completing real stealth-based objectives. not only that, but you often have a lot more cool stealthy gadgets to use. ones that actual military or tactical groups might use irl.

i'm sorry, but laying flat on your stomach and crawling past a group of enemies cannot compare to what Splinter Cell has contributed to the stealth genre. also, i haven't played any of the Thief games, so i'll fully admit that it has probably done a lot as well, and i just don't know about it.

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

Hardly a claim to laugh at. Even though I disagree with the claim (I too think MGS is better) I can't say I could fault someone for saying SC is the greatest stealth series. They are a very solid set of games and Chaos Theory was damn sure up there with Metal Gear and that is coming from a MGS fan.

[spicelicka]

Best stealth game ever, i would say it's up there. You can easily argue metal gear games are better or more amazing, but splinter cell is pure stealth and the best at it. Metal gear mixes a bunch of other features and perhaps it's better, however, i don't see it as a straight up stealth game.

[omi25p]

HAH HAHAH HAHAH!!! noooo, Hiding in a card board box literally at the feet of an enemy only to have them ignore you and walk away isnt stealth.

Sneaking into a base without touching anyone, Not making a noice, Not setting off any alarms, Using only the shadows. Then leaving that base without anyone having any idea that you were there. IS STEALTH.

(Conviction isnt stealth, But the others are.

[humbleopinion]

"Sneaking into a base without touching anyone, Not making a noice, Not setting off any alarms, Using only the shadows" is something you can do in some of the levels in Conviction as well

[Venoxn4g]

actually you can play MGS without being seen, that's how you can get Big Boss award :) I love MGS for story, for boses, yeah it may be at some things unrealistic, but gameplay I dont know, for me MGS is better .. matter of taste, matter of taste.. :) Though I liked all SC games (even Conviction, not like a stealth game, but overall) still I think MGS is better, too bad that MGS4 for me (and maybe some others) was made more like shooting/action game ..MGS3 still is the best ;)

[BlmThug]

In terms of STEALTH, SC excels in many ways above MGS but Tenchu does the best stealth imo

[vork77]

NOOOOO it belongs to mark of the ninja

[Belking]

Splinter cell is consistently amazing too IMO. The article was about stealth not about which game series is better. Hitman does it better than both IMO but I love MG and SC too.

[Braid]

I would agree that Hitman is indeed a good game in its own standarts but it's not completely stealth either, I mean what kind of an extreme blind person could not notice that his/her colleague is now suddenly a BALD and, you know, a different looking person with a friggin' BARCODE on the back of his head?

I also l love how it's said in the various parts of the series that no one has ever seen the infamous assassin and that there's not a definite profile picture drawn by the police. I mean, seriously? The dude has so many noticable physical characteristics that you would spot him miles away in the case of a manhunt. If it was that easy to sneak into places, and the only thing that you would need was to find a proper dress... well, my friends, we'd be living in a very, very messed up world.

[FarCryLover182]

I loved the SC series, but the stealth that is lauded and applauded in this article no longer exists. Sad stuff.

[StrongMan]

LOL. The Metal Gear Series sells more AND score higher. Especially MGS4, the greatest of all time.

[Thatlalala]

Snake Eater was better.

[rpd123]

It may be a better game, but it's not a better stealth game. And scores don't mean shit.

[Venoxn4g]

that belongs to MGS 3

[koston3647]

Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is my #1 favorite game
So many stealthy memories

[Campy da Camper]

And the HD remake looked better than most current gen games.

[Sidewinder-]

Hmmm...

Splinter Cell WAS a great series.

[Bathyj]

no love for Tenchu?
this is why we cant get a reboot.
farcry is my favourite at the moment

[StreetsofRage]

By far the best ever. No question. Metal Gear is awesome but it's too cartoony and silly. Definitely not real stealth. More like a anime cartoon.

Splinter Cell is catered to more of the Tom Clancy adult crowd.

Sam Fisher would be a bad ass in the real world. Solid Snake wouldn't even pass boot camp. LOL!

[2pacalypsenow]

Really? I know you like Splinter cell but Cmon

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

Obviously you never played a Metal Gear Solid before.

[morganfell]

Anyone can be a badass with AI that consistently walk the same routes. That's how you beat a SC title. Rote memorization. I love the series and have it only multiple platforms - Xbox, PS2, 360. PC, PS3 - including the HD remakes that were taken from the PC versions. But the AI in those games is brain dead. I had a much better time stealthing around in Death to Spies or moments during Stalker.

[Max-Zorin]

Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven>>>>>> >>>>>>>you r favorite stealth game

[yaz288]

Tenchu 2 is my favorite .. the clunky control, the tension, atmosphere, bosses , challenge..etc

tenchu z is also awesome. (so underrated that game)

[Bathyj]

Tenchu Z never gets any love but its the main reason I still have an xbox. Best graphics and controls in the series and that coming from a big Tenchu fan from the beginning.

As well as a return to the open levels of the first game. I just wish it had the level editor from part 2.

GIVE US A REBOOT PLEASE!!

[Batzi]

BS article.

[MaleManSam]

Metal gear solid are the better "Games" in the sense of Story, voice acting and such.

But when it actually comes to the game play of stealth. You cannot dispute that the stealth title is deservedly appointed to the first 2 splinter cell games.

I don't know how anyone could even dispute that. MGS isn't a stealth game, It's tactical espionage (We can argue about that all day), realistic stealth isn't a main factor about MGS, its the story.

I love MGS series, I mean love it. But you'd have to be stupid to say that anyone one of its games is the quintessential Stealth game experience, Not when there's Thief and Splinter cell around.

[Shadow Man]

mgs4 is better but the cut scenes are extremely long, no wonder it took a double layer blu-ray disc.

[ThichQuangDuck]

Splinter Cell Chaos Theory was my personal favorite stealth game. But have only played MGS3 which was a close second. The combination of single player, multiplayer and coop was perfection

[Plagasx]

Yea...until Conviction came along.

[devilhunterx]

Splinter Cell : The Ultimate Lightbulb Shooter Game!

[microgenius]

METAL GEAR SOLID
TACTICAL ESPIONAGE ACTION

[MYSTERIO360]

Splinter cell could quite possibly be the best series as far as pure stealth is concerned. Speaking as a person who loves the MGS franchise its not really a realistic stealth game. Sure MGS3 adopted the camouflaging ability in its gameplay which was great but the series as a whole is quite a quirky stealth experience that doesn't take itself serious.

Splinter cell uses the elements of darkness & light, concealment as well as sound. Whilst the MGS series uses sound & hiding as a whole in sometimes usually but funny places i.e. boxes. MGS series has a better story and cast of characters but not better stealth. Love both though

[elhebbo16]

i like MGS but sometimes i think the AI is pretty damn stupid. if your a "top next gen soldier" how can you hear me running in back of you? and i know they keep bringing up the box even up until the current games (mgs4, and i know mgs:gz and mgs5 are gonna have it) because its a staple to the serious. but come on, if it gets praised for being the best stealth serious ever it should definitely act like one. im not saying SC is better (although chaos theory is one of my favorite stealth games of all time, though conviction was meh and idk about blacklist) but at least it tried to be a little bit more realistic and closer to stealth. i still think the thief series is the best, cant wait for thief 4.

[Liquid_Ocelot]

From what I've been reading here, it seems most people here play their MGS games on easy. Go and unlock that Big Boss badge on MGS4.

Splinter Cell was amazing back then, no doubt about it. I even felt bad when the HD collection came without the coop(I heard), but saying that MGS is weak at stealth.. come on. You can beat MGS without killing anyone, without being seen, without using any sort of 'health' whatsoever. We must also remember that they're both set in a different 'universe'. Then again this is simply my OPINION.

Anyways, I'm out. Happy Día de Reyes to everyone here.